F1 updates 2026 calendar – confirms pre-season testing dates

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The FIA and Formula 1 have formalized the sport’s pre-season testing schedule for 2026 while a slight date change has been confirmed for next year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The 2026 race in Baku City will take place a day earlier than initially planned "following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders” in order to accommodate the country’s Remembrance Day on September 27.

The event will therefore unfold over four days as normal – including media day – starting on September 23, with race day now scheduled on Saturday, September 26.

As the race weekend is not part of a double-header, no disruption is expected for the teams’ logistics as a consequence of the rescheduling tweak.

In addition to this change, Formula 1 has confirmed its pre-season testing dates that will provide teams with three specific test periods - instead of two - in a bid to give everyone more time to get to grips with the sport’s 2026 sweeping changes to both engine and chassis regulation.

26-30 January – Private test, Barcelona-Catalunya
11-13 February – Test 1, Bahrain
18-20 February – Test 2, Bahrain

As previously announced, Formula 1’s first five-day test in Barcelona will be held behind closed doors, with no TV coverage available and the circuit closed to spectators.

Two additional pre-season tests are scheduled in February in Bahrain, with both set to follow a more traditional format. The final test is confirmed for February 11–13 and will precede the start of the F1 season in Melbourne on March 8.

2026 Formula 1 Calendar

	Country	Circuit	Date
1	Australia	Melbourne	March 6-8
2	China	Shanghai	March 13-15
3	Japan	Suzuka	March 27-29
4	Bahrain	Sakhir	April 10-12
5	Saudi Arabia	Jeddah	April 17-19
6	USA	Miami	May 1-3
7	Canada	Montreal	May 22-24
8	Monaco	Monaco	June 5-7
9	Spain	Barcelona-Catalunya	June 12-14
10	Austria	Spielberg	June 26-28
11	United Kingdom	Silverstone	July 3-5
12	Belgium	Spa-Francorchamps	July 17-19
13	Hungary	Budapest	July 24-26
14	Netherlands	Zandvoort	August 21-23
15	Italy	Monza	September 4-6
16	Spain	Madrid	September 11-13
17	Azerbaijan	Baku	September 24-26
18	Singapore	Singapore	October 9-11
19	USA	Austin	October 23-25
20	Mexico	Mexico City	October 30 - November 1
21	Brazil	Sao Paulo	November 6-8
22	USA	Las Vegas	November 19-21
23	Qatar	Lusail	November 27-29
24	Abu Dhabi	Yas Marina	December 4-6

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.